I Took a Chance Buying from Temu in Trinidad So You Don't Have To

Clickbait thumbnail because that's the only way to get organic traffic these days.

If your social media feeds look anything like mine, you’ve been seeing a lot of ads from Temu lately. If you’re unaware, Temu is an online marketplace that offers heavily discounted products shipped straight to the buyer from China. They came to prominence during the 2024 Super Bowl when they aired a series of advertisements inviting viewers to “shop like a billionaire."

Temu channeling their inner Xtra Foods with a 'Plenty for $20' ad on YouTube

From the minute you open the app, you are greeted by one-time discounts and countdowns on deals, effective psychological tricks to pressure you into buying. Pretty clever, if not a little manipulative. Temu’s enticing discounts and time-limited deals may tempt you, but ordering online in Trinidad comes with unique challenges, especially regarding reliable delivery. If you’ve purchased from international online marketplaces before in Trinidad and Tobago, you’d know that to ensure reliable delivery, you need to use a freight forwarder, or skybox as they’re known colloquially. Relying on the local mail delivery service can be a gamble, to put it mildly. I’ve had packages ordered through regular mail show up months later or, on at least one occasion, not show up at all. Since then, I’ve stuck mostly to skybox services when I need to order stuff online. (As a side note, if you’re looking for a reliable skybox provider in T&T, check out Ibis Express or First Class Couriers. I know the operators of both companies and can vouch for their commitment to quality, personable service and integrity doing business.)

My Temu Experience

So, anyway, onto the Temu experience. I decided that in 2025, I want to start doing more TikTok content. Not sure how wise of a decision that will prove to be with a US TikTok ban looming, but nevertheless, attention, exposure, and silly social media skits seem to be the way to go for growing your business these days. To that end, I decided to get a mic and lighting kit for myself.

In total, they both cost $239.45 TT with free shipping. You can see the breakdown below:

Breakdown of the costs of the items ordered in TTD

• Microphone: $87.29 TT

• Lighting Kit: $152.16 TT

  
  

Overall, I’d rate the experience, ease of transaction, and quality of the products a 9 out of 10. Of course, this is based on a sample size of just one order, so do with that info what you will.

I ordered on October 10 and received it on my doorstep (delivered via Aeropost) on October 29. Temu immediately provided a delivery date estimate upon order, which was pretty accurate, and offered the reassurance of store credit should the package arrive after the estimated date range. They also claim to have a 90 day return window should anything be off with the order, though I’m not sure how that would work as footing the shipping bill back to China would probably cost more than the items themselves. From click to having the package in hand, it took 19 days. Not bad for a package shipped for free all the way from China. I did not have to pay any extra customs or duty fees, which I was pleasantly surprised by, though this could just be because the items I ordered don’t fall into a category that attracts extra fees from Customs (I don’t know and didn’t bother to look it up tbh. Those categories are confusing to me.)

Temu vs. Amazon

I can see why Jeff Bezos donated $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. Trump’s aggressive stance on China in the form of threatening tariffs is warranted, as Temu does not bode well for Amazon supremacy, and by extension the USA’s grip on commerce in the western hemisphere. Granted, the shipping time is a bit longer, but I think many people would be willing to sacrifice a week or two of time for a hefty discount. Temu’s combination of low prices and free shipping could attract budget-conscious shoppers who are less concerned about delivery speed.

So, should you buy from Temu in Trinidad and Tobago?

I’d say if you’re curious, go for it. From my experience they seem to be reliable. Overall, Temu offers a promising alternative to traditional online shopping options for those in Trinidad and Tobago, especially with its combination of free shipping (no skybox needed, they ship straight to Trinidad and Tobago) and low prices. While delivery times are longer than Amazon, the substantial savings could make it a viable option for budget-conscious shoppers. My experience was positive, but as always with new platforms, proceed with caution and ensure you understand their policies. Happy shopping “like a billionaire”!